TripAdvisor®, the travel site that helps find the latest reviews and lowest prices, today announced the Travellers’ Choice® awards for Destinations on the Rise. The pristine blue waters and white sandy beaches of beautiful Ishigaki, Japan earned the ranking of number one in the world.

The awards recognise 44 destinations around the world selected by measuring year-over-year increase in positive TripAdvisor traveller review ratings for accommodations, restaurants and attractions, as well as increase in search and booking interest. This is the sixth year of the awards. Travellers’ Choice Destinations on the Rise lists were also revealed for the U.S., Asia, Europe and South America.

“These award-winning places that are growing in popularity provide ample inspiration for Aussies looking for great value on their next getaway,” said Janice Lee Fang, communications director for TripAdvisor APAC. “The ten destinations were selected for their overwhelmingly positive feedback from the TripAdvisor community who love what each destination has to offer – be it places to stay, eat and things to do for every budget.”

Travellers’ Choice Destinations on the Rise — World:

Ishigaki, Japan

Ishigaki in Japanese, means “stone wall”. Contrary to its name, Ishigaki is an island in Okinawa and is therefore surrounded by water. Home to sandy beaches and coral reefs, the destination is a popular diving spot. Also great for food lovers, Ishigaki is known for its soba noodles – called Yaeyama soba – made of flour instead of the more traditional buckwheat.

Travellers find this small town, nestled at the base of Nounou (the Sleeping Giant) Mountain on Kauai, tourist friendly with its diverse array of hotels, shopping centres and restaurants. The Kinipopo Shopping Village is a favourite among visitors for its fun eateries and small keepsake shops. Fans of water sports will have plenty to do with options for kayaking and water skiing.

Average annual Kapaa hotel price: $320 per night

Highly-rated value hotel: Aston Islander on the Beach – Low TripAdvisor pricing from $228 per night in June

Nairobi, Kenya

Known as the safari capital of Africa, Nairobi is an energetic, modern city that serves as a fascinating introduction to both wildlife and nightlife. Music clubs pulse with life, shops and markets bustle, and a mélange of restaurants will tempt your palate in this former Maasai watering hole. Top sights include the Karen Blixen Museum, Giraffe Centre and the black rhinos of Nairobi National Park.

Average annual Nairobi hotel price: $138 per night

Highly-rated value hotel: Best Western Plus Meridian Hotel – Low TripAdvisor pricing from $103 per night in June

Halifax, Canada

Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia, is a port city known for its maritime history. These days it is also well known for its arts, theatre and culinary scene as well as a strong craft brewing culture. The city famously has more pubs and clubs per capita than almost any city in Canada.

Known as one of Poland’s most beautiful cities, Gdańsk is a port city located on the Baltic coast. Long Market, at the centre of the city, is one of the main tourist attractions with its colourful facades and home to shops and restaurants. Interestingly, Gdańsk is a hub for the world’s amber trade. Boutiques throughout the city sell it, making Gdańsk the ideal destination for those who have a particular fondness for the precious fossilised resin.

San Jose del Cabo is located on the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula and boasts beautiful beaches and stunning colonial architecture. Not to be confused with its sister town, Cabo San Lucas which is known for its wild nightlife, San Jose del Cabo offers a much more relaxed pace.

The Latvian capital and the largest city in the Baltics, Riga is a fascinating mixture of proud Latvian tradition and influences from various neighbouring countries. Riga’s Art Nouveau centre has won a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation. The Old City has an abundance of bars and restaurants and can easily be explored on foot while the New Town is quickly reached by an efficient and modern bus and tram network.

Rovinj is a Croatian fishing port on the west coast of the Istrian peninsula. The old town, a beautiful tangle of steep cobbled streets and piazzas, sits on a cliff face, with houses packed closely together right down to the seafront. Located south of the old town is Lone Bay, one of the area’s pebble beaches. The 14 islands of the Rovinj archipelago set just off the mainland are perfect for an afternoon of exploration.

The resort of Nerja is nestled along southern Spain’s Costa del Sol. Its seafront promenade, Balcón de Europa, offers stunning views of the Mediterranean and surrounding mountains and below it travellers can find sandy beaches and cliffside coves. One popular attraction at the seaside town is Cueva de Nerja, a cave which boasts unusual stalactites and stalagmites and is also known for its Palaeolithic paintings.

Casablanca is a port city and the commercial hub of western Morocco. Fans of architecture will be in heaven at the sight of the mix of Moorish style and European art deco buildings. The city is also home to Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque in Morocco. The city also has a thriving art and culture scene – many of Casablanca’s historic Art Deco villas have been reborn as galleries and museums.

For the complete list of Travellers’ Choice Destinations on the Rise award–winners for 2018, as well as reviews and candid traveller photos, visit: http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/TravelersChoice-DestinationsOnTheRise.